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Kate McCoy, M.Ed, NBCC, LPC, Therapist

Category: Mental Health

Satisfied Customers: 5632

Experience: Over 20 years experience specializing in anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol, and relationship issues.

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Kate McCoy, M.Ed, NBCC, LPC is online now

My boyfriend is the adopted son of two alcoholics. His parents

Resolved Question:

My boyfriend is the adopted son of two alcoholics. His parents drank routinely in the evening to the point of passing out, and he had to care for himself a lot, including putting himself to sleep, often late at night.

The first time I visited my boyfriend's house, I noticed that his refrigerator was completely stocked full of beer bottles. He loves microbrews, seeks out all kinds, and has very very limited room in his fridge for actual food items because his beers take up all the space. I commented on this, and he said he's saving them for upcoming parties. That was a year ago. His fridge still looks the same. He drinks usually one or two beers a night, says that he doesn't drink every night but that "it's okay to have a beer every night, according to the latest medical opinion. When I talk to him about my concerns that he drinks too much, he gets defensive and angry, and admits, "I get defensive when people tell me I drink too much."

My question - how do I talk to him about it most effectively? I'm seriously considering breaking up with him soon, but want to give it one more shot.

It sounds like your boyfriend may have a problem with drinking. I say that because one, you are concerned enough to bring it up to him. Two, his friends and/or family are bringing it up to him ("I get defensive when people tell me I drink too much"), and third, because of the evidence in his refrigerator.

Oftentimes, when someone uses alcohol to the point of abuse, they become defensive when someone points out their use. This is called denial and it sounds like where your boyfriend is right now. Denial is the first stage of a drinking problem. It is also the hardest to break through. If the person breaks through their denial, they are well on their way to accepting their problem and their chances of becoming sober increase.

There are some things you can do to help. One is to contact Al Non at http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/. They can help you find ways to help your boyfriend. They will also provide support for you and resources to help you both.

You may want to try an intervention. This is where you and some of your boyfriend's friends and family get together and confront him about his drinking. This is best done with an experienced Drug and Alcohol counselor helping facilitate the intervention. The counselor can help guide the meeting and make sure your boyfriend doesn't become too defensive and walks out of the meeting.

You can also seek counseling for yourself. This will help you cope and give you a chance to express your feelings about what is going on with your relationship.

Your boyfriend may also have trauma associated with his childhood. What he experienced sounds like neglect. Given that he experienced neglect on top of his feelings about being adopted, he could have a lot of unresolved feelings he needs to deal with. You can suggest he come to counseling with you based on just working on his childhood abuse and see if he is willing to try. Let him know you are concerned and you want to help. He may reject the idea of counseling, but it will open the door and possibly get him to think about it.

Here are some books that may help you. One is called Love First: A Family's Guide to Intervention by Jeff Jay, Debra Jay, and George McGovern. Another is When Enough is Enough: A Comprehensive Guide to Successful Intervention by Candy Finnigan and Sean Finnigan. You can find these on Amazon.com or your local library may have them available.

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Over 20 years experience specializing in anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol, and relationship issues.

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